JP2003285561A - Imaging method using intermediate transfer image receiving sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging method which can be applied to proofreading for commercial printing since a non-image part resembles printing paper before heat treatment, improve glossiness by simple heat treatment, and be applied to proofreading for a special high-gloss printing sample and gravure printing. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging method includes a process in which an image is recorded on an intermediate transfer image receiving sheet, and the image formed on the sheet is transferred together with an image receiving layer onto a final image carrier by making the sheet face the carrier, and a process for heat-treating the transferred image. A 60-60° gloss defined by JIS-K7105 is increased by 5-100 by the heat treatment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method using an intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet, and more specifically, recording an image on the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet, and then transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet to the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming method which sequentially includes a step of facing an image receiving sheet and a final image bearing member to transfer an image on the final image bearing member together with an image receiving layer, and a step of heat-treating the transferred image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent spread of image forming technology from digital data, there is an increasing need for digital color proofing (DDCP), especially in the field of printing.

In such a DDCP, color reproduction and stability reproduction of a printed matter are required, and a laser thermal transfer technique is adopted. Specifically, there are provided a laser thermal transfer ink sheet having a photothermal conversion layer and a color material layer, an image receiving layer for receiving the ink layer of the ink sheet, and an image receiving sheet for laser thermal transfer having a layer softened by heat (thermosoftening layer). Using, the ink layer surface of the ink sheet and the image receiving layer surface of the image receiving sheet are faced to each other, imagewise laser exposure is performed from the ink sheet side, and photothermal conversion is performed to thermally transfer the ink layer to the image receiving layer side,
Further, it is a technique of thermally transferring from an image receiving sheet carrying an image to a final image carrier.

The DDCP of such a system is preferable because it can output the final image on the same paper as the printing and can be used as a final proofreading sample in terms of halftone dot output, use of printing pigment and use of printing actual paper. .

However, there are various kinds of papers used for printing, and depending on the kinds, there are art paper, coated paper, matte paper, lightly coated paper, uncoated paper and the like. recently,
There is an increasing demand to use the above DDCP with a wider paper type. To meet such demands, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-138648 discloses a technique for improving the physical properties of the heat-softening layer and improving the transferability from matte paper to high-quality paper. However, the level of proof for printing actual paper requested by the user is not limited to the fact that it is transferred to paper, and the point is how the image is similar to the printed matter in both the non-image part / image part. is there.

As a gloss adjusting technique related to these,
The following 1) to 3) are disclosed by the present applicants. 1) A so-called ink-on recording method in which an ink image is formed on an intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet and then only the ink image is transferred to a final image carrier. 2) A method of improving the thermal deformability of the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet to improve the followability to the paper at the time of retransfer, and approximating the non-image portion of the paper. 3) In a method of transferring an ink image together with an image receiving layer, a method and a material for roughening the image receiving layer to approximate the non-image portion of the final recording medium.

However, the ink-on recording method of 1) has a problem that the image portion is roughened at the time of retransfer and peeling and the gloss of the image portion is lowered, and the quality for art paper and other high gloss paper is deteriorated. Was not good. There are two problems with the method of 2). First, to enhance the thermal deformation of the image receiving layer, the peeling property is poor because the peeling surface follows the unevenness of the paper when transferred and peeled to the final image bearing member, and the final image bearing member has a very high probability. Damages. Secondly, with respect to a paper having a smooth surface such as art paper, even if strong heat and pressure are applied, unevenness is not formed as much as the surface of the paper, and therefore the glossiness is not sufficiently lowered. With regard to the method 3), since the image-receiving layer that has been roughened is transferred together, the image area is not roughened unlike the method 1), and even for smooth art paper, the method 2) In addition, the gloss of the non-image portion can be adjusted to be equal to that of the target final image carrier. Therefore, it is a preferable method for adjusting gloss.

However, none of the techniques developed to date can raise the image formed on the final image bearing member, although it can lower the gloss.

In actual image formation, a glossiness close to or lower than that of the final image bearing member may be required. In particular, when an image is formed on a transparent film by gravure printing, the High / high gloss images are required. In such a case, it may be desired to improve the glossiness of the image formed on the final image bearing member, but this cannot be dealt with.

[0010]

In view of the above situation, the object of the present invention is that the non-image area is similar to the actual printing paper before the heat treatment, and is very well used for proofreading such as commercial printing. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method capable of improving glossiness by performing a simple heat treatment and capable of being used for a special high-gloss printing sample and proofreading for gravure printing.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have made earnest studies, and as a result, found that the object of the present invention can be achieved by adopting any of the following constitutions.

[1] An image is recorded on the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet, and then the image formed on the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet is placed on the final image-bearing member with the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet and the final image-bearing member facing each other. An image forming method comprising a step of sequentially transferring an image together with an image receiving layer and a step of heat-treating the transferred image, characterized in that the 60-60 ° gloss defined by JIS-K7105 increases by 5 to 100 before and after the heat treatment. Image forming method.

[2] The image forming method according to [1], wherein the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet has a structure of image-receiving layer / lower layer, and the lower layer is roughened.

[3] The intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet has a structure of image-receiving layer / lower layer, and the surface roughness Ra of the lower layer is 0.2 to 5.0.
The image forming method according to [1], wherein the image forming method is μm.

[4] The image forming method described in [1], wherein the thickness of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet is 0.5 to 10 g / m ² .

[5] The image forming method according to [1], wherein the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet is treated with a surface having a surface roughness Ra of 0.001 to 0.2 μm facing the image during heat treatment. .

[6] The image forming method as described in [1], wherein the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet is heat-treated under the conditions of 60 to 150 ° C. and a pressure of 5 to 100 N.

[7] The final image bearing member is JIS-P8
The image forming method according to [1], wherein the Beck smoothness defined by 119 is 50 seconds or more.

In the present invention, if necessary, heat treatment may be carried out after retransfer of the surface to enhance the glossiness of the screen on the final image bearing member.

Particularly, by using a new intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet proposed by Konica in which the lower layer of the image-receiving layer is roughened, the final image surface which was initially rough can be made into a glossy surface by heat treatment.

In the conventional techniques for transferring an image from the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet to the final image carrier together with the image receiving layer, a matting agent is added to the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet to make the surface of the final image non-glossy. With this method, the final image can be a non-glossy surface. However, it is not possible to increase the glossiness of the non-glossy image surface once formed on this image as needed to form a glossy image. On the other hand, in the present invention,
After viewing the image on the final image bearing member, it is possible to further increase the glossiness, if necessary.

As described above, the feature of the present invention is that the glossiness of the non-glossy image surface once formed as the final image can be increased to form a glossy image. In this case, 60-60 °
If the increase in gloss is less than 5, the effect of the present invention is small, which is not preferable. However, it is preferable that the change in gloss is large, but if it is larger than 100, the fluctuation in gloss during storage tends to be large, and thus it is not preferable that the change is too large.

The thickness of the image receiving layer in the present invention is 0.5 to 1.
It is preferably 0 g / m ² or more and Ra during heat treatment.
Is preferably processed by facing the surface having a thickness of 0.001 to 0.2 μm with the image. A surface with Ra less than 0.001 is difficult to make easily and has little meaning in practical use.
Is larger than 0.2 μm, embossing of the surface after peeling becomes too large, and the effect of adjusting the gloss tends to be small, which is not preferable.

Further, the heat treatment conditions are 60 to 150 ° C. and 5.
It is preferable to carry out at 0 to 100 N, and it is preferable that the final image bearing member has a Bekk smoothness defined by JIS of 50 seconds or more. Particularly preferably, a transparent film base material exhibits a very large effect. If the Beck's smoothness is less than 50 seconds, the increase in gloss becomes small, and in order to increase the gloss by heat treatment, it is effective to use a smooth final image carrier to increase the gloss. In that sense, the higher the Beck smoothness of the final image carrier, the better.

Further, as the preferable heat treatment in the present invention, conventionally known various methods can be used without particular limitation, but heating and pressure treatment with a heat roll is particularly preferable, and specifically, the above-mentioned retransfer is used. The same conditions as the laminating treatment are preferable.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in more detail below.

The intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as an image-receiving sheet, an intermediate transfer medium and an intermediate transfer image-receiving film) comprises a support and a heat-softening layer, an intermediate layer and an image-receiving layer laminated in this order. .

As the support used in the image-receiving sheet of the present invention, a conventionally known support can be used without particular limitation. For example, various papers such as paper, coated paper, synthetic paper (polypropylene, polystyrene, or a composite material obtained by laminating them with paper), vinyl chloride resin sheet, ABS resin sheet, polyethylene terephthalate film, polybutylene terephthalate film , Polyethylene naphthalate film, polyarylate film, polycarbonate film, polyetherketone film, polysulfone film, polyethersulfone film, polyetherimide film, polyimide film, polyethylene film, polypropylene film, polystyrene film, stretched nylon film,
A single layer such as a polyacetate film or various plastic films or sheets in which two or more layers are laminated, a film or sheet formed of various metals, a film or sheet formed of various ceramics, and further,
Examples thereof include metal plates made of aluminum, stainless steel, chrome, nickel, etc., and resin-coated papers laminated or vapor-deposited with a metal thin film.

The thickness of these supports is preferably 30 to 200 μm, more preferably 50 to 125 μm.

The support may be subjected to various processes such as dimensional stabilization and antistatic treatment. Examples of the antistatic agent include cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, polymer antistatic agents, conductive fine particles,
"11290 Chemical Products" Kagaku Kogyo Nippo, 875-8
The compounds described on page 76 and the like can be widely used. Also, conventionally known surface modification techniques can be preferably used.

Next, the heat softening layer of the present invention will be described.
The image-receiving sheet of the present invention needs to follow the irregularities of various final image carriers. Therefore, the heat-softened layer needs to have high fluidity under heating or pressure.

In order to satisfy such characteristics, the heat-softening layer is a layer having heat-softening property or elasticity (hereinafter may be referred to as cushioning property), which can be sufficiently softened and deformed by heating, or A material having a low elastic modulus or a material having rubber elasticity is used. In the present invention, the elastic modulus and the penetration can be used as a guideline indicating the cushioning property. For example, the elastic modulus at 25 ° C. is 9.8.
X10 ^{6 to} 24.5 x10 ⁷ Pa layer or JIS
The penetration degree specified in K 2530-1976 is 15 to
It has been confirmed that a layer of 500 (g), more preferably about 30 to 300 (g), has suitable cushioning properties for the formation of color proof images in the printing field, but the required level is Since it varies depending on the intended use of the image, it can be appropriately selected.

The material used for the heat-softening layer is preferably one which has no fluidity at room temperature and exhibits elasticity, and exhibits remarkable fluidity in a high temperature region above the softening temperature.

The TMA softening point of the heat softening layer is preferably 40 ° C. or higher, more preferably 40 to 80 ° C. The TMA softening point is TMA (Thermomech
(Analytical Analysis). That is, it is determined by heating the measurement target at a constant heating rate while applying a constant load, and observing the phase of the measurement target. In the present invention, the temperature at which the phase of the measurement target begins to change is defined as the TMA softening point. The softening point can be measured by TMA using a device such as Thermoflex (manufactured by Rigaku Denki Co., Ltd.). For example, Th
Measurement temperature range 25-200 ° C using ermoflex
When the temperature rising rate is 5 ° C./min, the temperature at which the phase starts to change when a load of 10 g is applied to a 1 mm diameter quartz glass pin (needle) is defined as the TMA softening point.

Although the preferable characteristics of the heat-softening layer cannot necessarily be defined only by the type of material, preferable characteristics of the material itself include polyolefin resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer. Polymer, polybutadiene resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR), styrene-ethylene-butene-
Styrene copolymer (SEBS), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer (NBR), polyisoprene resin (I
R), styrene-isoprene copolymer (SIS), acrylic ester copolymer, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, butyl rubber, polynorbornene and the like. Among these, those having a relatively low molecular weight are likely to satisfy the requirements of the present invention, but they are not necessarily limited in relation to the material. The heat-softening layer can be provided by solvent coating, but it can also be formed by coating in the state of an aqueous dispersion such as latex or emulsion. In addition to this, a water-soluble resin can also be used. These resins can be used alone or as a mixture, if necessary.

In addition, materials other than those described above can be added with various additives to impart preferable characteristics to the heat softening layer.
As such additives, low melting point substances such as wax,
Examples include plasticizers, thermal solvents, tackifiers, and the like. As waxes, specifically, carnauba wax, wood wax,
Plant waxes such as auricurie wax and espal wax; animal waxes such as beeswax, insect wax, shellac wax and whale wax; petroleum waxes such as paraffin wax, microcrystal wax, polyethylene wax, ester wax and acid wax; and montan wax, Examples thereof include waxes such as mineral waxes such as ozokerite and ceresin, and in addition to these waxes, higher fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, margaric acid and behenic acid; palmityl alcohol,
Higher alcohols such as stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, marganyl alcohol, myricyl alcohol, eicosanol, etc .; higher fatty acid esters such as cetyl palmitate, myricyl palmitate, cetyl stearate, myricyl stearate; acetamide, propionamide, palmitamide, Amides such as stearic acid amide and amide wax; and stearylamine,
Examples thereof include higher amines such as behenylamine and palmitylamine. Of these, those which are solid at room temperature are preferable, those having a melting point of 40 to 130 ° C. are particularly preferable, and those of 70 to 110 ° C. are more preferable.

Specific examples of the plasticizer, heat solvent and tackifier include phthalic acid ester, adipic acid ester, glycol ester, fatty acid ester, phosphoric acid ester and chlorinated paraffin. Further, various additives described in, for example, "Practical Handbook of Additives for Plastics and Rubbers", Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (issued in 1945) and the like can be added.

The amount of these additives to be added may be selected in such an amount as to bring out the preferable physical properties in combination with the base material for the heat-softening layer, and is not particularly limited, but generally heat-softening The amount of the layer material is preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less.

As a method for forming the heat-softening layer, there is a method in which the material is dissolved in a solvent or dispersed in a latex form and is applied by a blade coater, a roll coater, a bar coater, a curtain coater, a gravure coater, etc. An extrusion lamination method using a melt can also be applied. It is also possible to use a resin layer having a void structure obtained by foaming a heat-softening or thermoplastic resin as the special heat-softening layer.

The thickness of the heat softening layer is preferably 5 μm or more, more preferably 10 μm or more. If the thickness of the heat-softening layer is less than 5 μm, when retransferred to the final image carrier,
Missing or chipping may occur.

In the image-receiving sheet of the present invention, the surface property of the lower layer is preferably rougher than that of the image-receiving layer. On the other hand, the surface property of the heat softening layer is not limited at all, and may be set appropriately in relation to the intermediate layer.

The coefficient of friction of the surface of the heat-softening layer is preferably 0.1 to 3, more preferably 0.15 to 2. The surface roughness Ra is preferably 0.01 to 5 μm, more preferably 0.03 to 3 μm, and particularly preferably 0.05 to
It is 1 μm.

Next, the intermediate layer will be described. The intermediate layer of the present invention is a layer that greatly contributes to gloss adjustment. There are the following four methods as embodiments for reducing the gloss. 1) Incorporating a matting material into a binder 2) Using an incompatible resin as a binder by blending 3) Forming a smooth resin layer and physically embossing the surface 4) Cohesive force of the intermediate layer The cohesive force of the layer / the adhesive force between the layers is made lower than that of the intermediate layer to cause cohesive failure.

1) Specific examples of the binder include polyolefin, silicone resin, polyester, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl formal, polyparaben acid,
Styrenes such as polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, ethylcellulose, nitrocellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, urethane resins, fluororesins, polystyrene, acrylonitrile styrene, etc. ,
Examples thereof include thermosetting resins such as polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, and aramid, and cured products of these resins. As the curing agent, general curing agents such as isocyanate and melamine can be used. Among these, resins having a Tg (glass transition temperature) of 65 ° C. or higher and crosslinked products of these resins are preferable. Preferred resins include polycarbonate, acetal, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose.

The resin used preferably has a tensile strength of 1-1000 MPa, more preferably 2-500.
A strength of MPa is required. If the tensile strength is lower than 1 MPa, it cannot follow the softening of the heat-softening layer and is difficult to use in production. On the other hand, if it is more than 1000 MPa, transfer inhibition to the final image bearing member is large, which is not preferable. The elongation of the resin is preferably 0.1 to 100%, and if it is less than 0.1%, it cannot follow the softening of the heat softening layer, and if it is more than 100%, the peeling force when transferred to paper with large unevenness is obtained. Getting bigger,
Not preferable. However, the preferable characteristics of the resin are finally the characteristics of the intermediate layer, and it may be realized by mixing with various additives.

As the matting material added to the binder, organic or inorganic fine particles can be used. As an organic matting agent, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA),
Examples thereof include fine particles of polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene and other radically polymerized polymers, fine particles of condensation polymers such as polyester and polycarbonate, fine particles of fluorine resin and silicone resin. Crosslinked organic fine particles are more preferable in order to increase the strength and solvent resistance of the particles.

The coating amount of the intermediate layer is 0.1 to 10 g / m ² , more preferably 0.1 to 5 g / m ² , and particularly preferably 0.1.
It is ² to 5 g / m ² .

The amount with the mat member is preferably ^{0.3~10g / m 2, 0.3~5g / m} 2 is more preferable. 0.3
It is necessary that the particles of 5 μm or more are contained in an amount of 5 mg / m ² or more, and 6 to 600 mg / m ² is more preferable. The dispersion coefficient (σ) of the particle size distribution of the mat material is preferably 0.5 or less,
0.3 or less is more preferable, and 0.15 or less is particularly preferable.

The amount of the matting agent to be added cannot be unconditionally defined depending on the relationship between the particle size and the amount added, but it is preferably used in the range of 0.1 to 50% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.5 to. It is 40 mass%.

The true specific gravity of the particles used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 1.5, more preferably 0.3.
.About.1.4, particularly preferably 0.5 to 1.3.

The surface roughness Ra (center line average) of the intermediate layer is preferably 0.05 to 3.5 μm, particularly preferably 0.08 to 2 μm. The surface roughness Rz (average of ten points) is 0.5 to
9 μm is preferable, and 0.8 to 8.0 μm is particularly preferable.

Here, Ra and Rz are both defined by JIS surface roughness (B0601), and are often used in the art as parameters showing the smoothness of the surface.

It is preferable to add a release agent, a conductive agent, a surfactant, an antioxidant, a UV absorber, etc. to the intermediate layer, if necessary. Among them, the release agent is important, and the release force tends to increase as the release surface area increases due to the addition of the matting agent, and various conventionally known release agents are added to the intermediate layer so as to obtain the optimum release force. This is the preferred embodiment.
It is preferable that the release agent has little migration to the image receiving layer when the image receiving layer is provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent a change in ink transferability due to the transfer.

The peeling force of the intermediate layer means the peeling force between the intermediate layer and the image receiving layer when the image and the image receiving layer are transferred to the final image bearing member in the image forming method described later.

In the present invention, the peeling force of the intermediate layer is 9.8.
× 10 ^{−3 to} 1.96 N / cm is preferable, more preferably 9.8 × 10 ^{−3 to} 0.98 N / cm, and particularly preferably 9.8 × 10 ^{−3 to} 0.49 N / cm. This numerical value is preferably the same value in various final image carriers.

In the form of 2), the incompatible resin is 30 /
It is preferable to blend at a ratio of 70 to 50/50 (mass ratio). Further, a blend of resins having an SP value of 1 or more, preferably 2 or more, is preferable, and the molecular weight of the resin is 10,000 or more, preferably 50,000 or more.

A combination of a solution and a polymer emulsion using a similar solvent is also effective to realize the incompatibility of the present invention.

In the form 3), the resin used is preferably one having thermoplasticity among the above resins. However,
The TMA softening point mentioned in the heat softening layer is preferably 100 ° C. or higher, more preferably 120 ° C. or higher, and particularly preferably 140 to 200 ° C. If it is less than 100 ° C, it is not preferable in terms of storage stability, and if it exceeds 200 ° C, the embossing treatment is difficult.

As an embossing method, it is effective to carry out a heat treatment and a pressure treatment, and it is preferable to change the surface property by a heating / pressure roller or the like.

As the form of 4), the intermediate layer itself may be cohesively peeled in the process of secondary transfer to the final image bearing member after exposure, and there is no particular limitation to the conventionally known technique capable of adopting such a constitution. Can be used.

For example, a supercooling substance is contained in the intermediate layer,
A method of peeling immediately after heating, a method of reducing the cohesive force of the film by an incompatible resin blend as described in the configuration of 2), a low melting point compound such as wax is added to the resin to reduce the cohesive force of the film, or Examples thereof include a method of bleeding out wax to provide a cohesive failure release layer, and a method of causing cohesive failure by peeling after exposure using a resin system that initiates depolymerization upon exposure.

Examples of the supercooling substance include poly-ε-caprolactone, polyoxyethylene, benzotriazole, tribenzylamine, vanillin and the like. Further, the intermediate layer having a different structure contains a compound that reduces the adhesiveness to the image receiving layer. Such compounds include:
Silicone resin such as silicone oil; Fluorine resin such as Teflon (R) and fluorine-containing acrylic resin; Polysiloxane resin; Acetal resin such as polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetal and polyvinyl formal;
Solid waxes such as polyethylene wax and amide wax; fluorine-based and phosphoric acid ester-based surfactants and the like can be mentioned. As the wax, the compounds described in the heat softening layer can be preferably used.

In order to cause cohesive failure, it is necessary that the adhesive strength between the lower layer (heat softening layer) and the image receiving layer is sufficient,
The point is to select a resin having a good affinity with the lower layer and the image receiving layer.

As the method for forming the intermediate layer, a solution obtained by dissolving the above materials in a solvent or dispersed in a latex form is applied by a blade coater, roll coater, bar coater, curtain coater, gravure coater or the like, or extrusion lamination by hot melt. Can be applied. Further, there is a method in which the temporary base is peeled off after the temporary soft base is pasted with a material obtained by dissolving the raw material dissolved in a solvent or dispersed in a latex form by the above-mentioned method and the heat softening layer. .

Next, the image receiving layer will be described. The image receiving layer comprises a binder and various additives which are added as necessary. The image-receiving layer of the present invention is a layer that greatly contributes to exposure characteristics and gloss storage stability.

The binder used in the image receiving layer is TMA.
The softening point measured is preferably 40 ° C or higher, more preferably 40 to 80 ° C, particularly preferably 40 to 70 °.
Is. Specific examples of the image-receiving layer binder include polyvinyl acetate emulsion adhesives, chloroprene adhesives,
Adhesives such as epoxy resin-based adhesives, natural rubber, chloroprene rubber-based, butyl rubber-based, polyacrylic ester-based, nitrile rubber-based, polysulfide-based, silicone rubber-based, petroleum-based resin adhesives, recycled rubber, vinyl chloride Resin, SBR, polybutadiene resin, polyisoprene, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl ether,
Ionomer resin, SIS, SEBS, acrylic resin,
Ethylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate resin (EVA), vinyl chloride graft EVA resin, EVA graft vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride resin, urethane resin, polyester resin , Polyolefin resins, various modified olefins, polyvinyl butyral and the like. Particularly preferred binders in the present invention include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene copolymers such as ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers and the like. Are vinyl chloride copolymers, polyvinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, polystyrene, styrene copolymers such as styrene-acrylic acid copolymers, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymers, and vinyl acetate copolymers.
The above binders may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The image receiving layer preferably contains a matting agent. As the material of the matting agent, those used in the above-mentioned intermediate layer can be similarly suitably used. The number average particle diameter of the matting agent is preferably 0.3 to 10.0 μm larger than the average film thickness of the portion of the image receiving layer where the matting agent does not exist, and more preferably 0.3 to 8.0 μm larger. Above all 1
Those having a size of up to 5.5 μm are effective and particularly preferred. 0.3
If it is less than μm, the effect on the fog and gas removability is small, and if it exceeds 10.0 μm, the sensitivity is deteriorated. It should be noted that the particle mass that is more than twice the number average particle size is 20%
Those having the following distribution are preferable, and those having the distribution in which the particle mass of 2 times or more the number average particle diameter is 5% or less are more preferable. If the particle mass is more than twice the number average particle size,
In those having a distribution of 0% or less, the pressure is uniformly relieved, so that deterioration of storage stability such as blocking is prevented. It is more preferable from the viewpoint of storability to use a material having a distribution in which the mass of particles which is at least twice the number average particle diameter is 5% or less. When such a mat material is selected, if the binder film thickness of the image receiving layer is 3.0 μm or more, the amount of the matting agent is too much and the image becomes yellowish, so the binder film thickness of the image receiving layer is 0. It is preferably 0.8 to 3.0 μm.

The distribution of the matting agent on the surface of the image receiving layer is also important. The number of matting agents on the image receiving layer is 100 to 2400 /
It is preferably mm ² . Further, the spherical shape of the matting agent effectively improves the performance by adding the matting agent. The true spherical shape means that the shape of the matting agent particles is substantially spherical when observed under a microscope and the difference between the major axis and the minor axis is about 20% or less.

The surface roughness Ra (center line average) of the image receiving layer is preferably 0.01 to 0.4 μm, and 0.01 to 0.2 μm.
m is more preferable, and 0.01 to 0.15 μm is particularly preferable. The surface roughness Rz (average of ten points) is 0.03 to 5 μ.
m is preferable, 0.05 to 3.5 μm is more preferable,
0.1 to 2.0 μm is particularly preferable.

The coverage of the image receiving layer is 0.1 to 10 g /
m ² is preferably 0.5 to 4 g / m ² . 0.1
If it is less than g / m ² , it is difficult to obtain the effect of increasing gloss,
If it is larger than 10 g / m ^2, it becomes difficult to transfer the image onto a final image carrier having large irregularities such as matte paper and reduce the gloss of the surface.

The elongation of the resin preferably used in the image receiving layer is preferably 1 to 1000%, more preferably 10 to 800%. If it is less than 1%, pinhole-like blanks may occur during transfer to the final image bearing member, which is not preferable. Also, if it is more than 1000%, the peeling force becomes large,
Not suitable for peeling in large format.

The image-receiving layer may contain an antioxidant, U if necessary.
Known additives such as V absorbers, preservatives, activators and antistatic agents can be used.

In order to realize a cohesive failure type image receiving layer,
The same means as in mode 4) for reducing the gloss of the intermediate layer may be adopted. Since the image receiving layer is required to have ink receptivity, the addition amount of the additive is preferably 1 to 50% by mass, and 2 to 40% by mass.
Mass% is more preferable, and 3-30 mass% is especially preferable. Further, in order to cause cohesive failure, it is necessary that the adhesive strength between the lower layer (intermediate layer) and the ink is sufficient, and the point is to select a resin having a good affinity with the lower layer and the ink.

The preferred film thickness of the cohesive failure type image receiving layer is 0.8 to 10 μm, more preferably 1.2 to 8 μm, and particularly preferably 1.6 to 6 μm.

In the present invention, a back coat layer is provided on the back surface of the support (the surface opposite to the surface provided with the image receiving layer) in order to impart functions such as transportability, heat resistance, and antistatic property. Is a preferred embodiment. In addition, the provision of the back coat layer is effective for image defects and image quality stability.

The back coat layer is formed by dissolving a binder resin in a solvent, or the binder resin and a particle size of 2 to 30.
It can be formed by applying a backcoat layer coating solution in which a matting agent having a thickness of μm is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent to the back surface of the support.

As the binder used in the back coat layer, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, acetyl cellulose, aromatic polyamide resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, alkyd resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, fluorine resin, polyimide. Resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, urethane modified silicone resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester resin, Teflon (R) resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, vinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate, polycarbonate, organic boron compound, aromatic ester General-purpose polymers such as fluorinated polyurethane and polyether sulfone can be used. Crosslinking using a crosslinkable water-soluble binder as the binder of the backcoat layer is effective in preventing dusting of the matting agent and improving scratch resistance of the backcoat layer.
It is also effective in blocking during storage. As the cross-linking means, any one of heat, actinic rays and pressure or a combination thereof can be adopted without any particular limitation, depending on the characteristics of the cross-linking agent used. In some cases, an optional adhesive layer may be provided on the side of the support on which the backcoat layer is provided in order to impart adhesiveness to the support.

The back coat layer has a scratch resistance of 10 g or more (10 to 500) in a 0.1 mmR needle scratch tester.
g), more preferably 20 g or more (20 to 500 g).

The scratch test is measured by the following method. That is, a back coat layer is provided on the support, and the temperature is 23 ° C
It is measured after being left for one day in an environment of 50% RH. The measuring equipment is
Scratch strength tester HEIDON-18 (HEID
(Manufactured by ON Co.) and a sapphire needle of 0.1 mmR was used as a measuring needle. For the measurement, a 10 cm scratch test is carried out three times with a constant load, and the limit load at which there is no scratched part up to the support is defined as the scratch strength.

Further, as described above, it is preferable that the back coat layer contains a matting agent. Next, the ink sheet used with the image receiving sheet of the present invention will be described.

The ink sheet is a film having a light-heat converting function and an ink (coloring material) transferring function, and has a light-heat converting layer having at least a light-heat converting function and an ink layer on one surface of the support, It is also possible to impart both functions to the same layer.

If necessary, a cushion layer and a release layer may be provided between these layers and the support, an intermediate layer may be provided between the photothermal conversion layer and the ink layer, and a surface (back surface) opposite to the support may be provided. ) Can have a back coat layer.

As the support, any material may be used as long as it has rigidity, good dimensional stability, excellent smoothness, and can endure heat during image formation, and specifically, paper, coated paper, synthetic paper. Various papers such as (polypropylene, polystyrene, or composite materials obtained by laminating them with paper), vinyl chloride resin sheet, ABS resin sheet, polyethylene terephthalate film, polybutylene terephthalate film, polyethylene naphthalate film, polyacrylate film , Polycarbonate film, polyetherketone film, polysulfone film, polyethersulfone film, polyetherimide film, polyimide film, polyethylene film, polypropylene film, polystyrene film, syndiotactic polystyrene, A single layer such as a stretched nylon film, a polyacetate film, a polymethylmethacrylate film, or various plastic films or sheets in which two or more layers thereof are laminated, a film or sheet formed of various metals, and various ceramics Examples of the film or sheet include a metal plate made of aluminum, stainless steel, chromium, nickel or the like, or a resin-coated paper on which a thin metal film is laminated or vapor-deposited.

These supports may be subjected to various processings such as dimensional stabilization and antistatic. Examples of antistatic agents include cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, polymeric antistatic agents, conductive fine particles, and “11290 chemical products”, Chemical Industry Daily, 87
The compounds described on pages 5 to 876 are widely used.

Further, these supports may be subjected to a conventionally known surface modification treatment. Examples of these surface modification treatments include flame radiation treatment, sulfuric acid treatment, corona discharge treatment, plasma treatment, glow discharge treatment and the like. In addition, an adhesive layer may be provided on the support in order that each of the layers described below may be well coated on the support.

When a laser beam is applied from the ink sheet side to form an image, the support is preferably transparent. The thickness of the support of the ink sheet is preferably thinner than that of the image-receiving sheet, and is preferably about 30 to 150 μm, more preferably 5 because of the ease of superposition.
It is 0 to 100 μm.

The photothermal conversion layer is a layer having a photothermal conversion function. When the photothermal conversion substance can be added to the ink layer, the photothermal conversion layer is not particularly required, but when the photothermal conversion substance is not substantially transparent, the photothermal conversion substance is separated from the ink layer in consideration of the color reproducibility of the transferred image. It is desirable to provide a conversion layer. The photothermal conversion layer is preferably provided between the support and the ink layer, more preferably between the cushion layer and the ink layer. As the binder in the photothermal conversion layer, a resin having a high glass transition point (Tg) and a high thermal conductivity, for example, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyimide, poly General heat-resistant resins such as ether imides, polysulfones, polyether sulfones, and aramids, polythiophenes, polyanilines, polyacetylenes, polyphenylenes, polyphenylene sulfides, polypyrroles, and derivatives or mixtures thereof. Polymer compounds consisting of can be used. or,
A water-soluble polymer can also be used as the binder in the photothermal conversion layer. The water-soluble polymer has good releasability from the ink layer, and also has good heat resistance during laser irradiation.
It is preferable in that it is less scattered even if it is heated excessively. When a water-soluble polymer is used, it is desirable that the photothermal conversion substance be modified to be water-soluble (such as introduction of a sulfo group) or dispersed in water. Further, by incorporating various releasing agents into the photothermal conversion layer, the peelability between the photothermal conversion layer and the ink layer can be improved and the sensitivity can be improved. Examples of the release agent include silicone-based release agents (polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone oil, alcohol-modified silicone oil, etc.), fluorine-based surfactants (perfluorophosphate ester-based surfactants), and various other surfactants. Etc. are effective. When using a photothermal conversion substance, it varies depending on the light source, but a substance that absorbs light and efficiently converts it into heat is good. For example, when using a semiconductor laser as a light source, a substance having an absorption band in the near infrared is preferable, Examples of the near-infrared light absorber include organic compounds such as carbon black, cyanine-based, polymethine-based, azurenium-based, squalium-based, thiopyrylium-based, naphthoquinone-based, anthraquinone-based dyes, phthalocyanine-based, azo-based, and thioamide-based organic metals. Complexes and the like are preferably used, and specifically, JP-A-63-139.
No. 191, No. 64-33547, JP-A No. 1-1606.
No. 83, No. 1-280750, No. 1-293342.
No. 2, No. 2-2074, No. 3-26593, No. 3-3
0991, 3-34891, 3-36093.
No. 3, No. 3-36094, No. 3-36095, No. 3-
No. 42281, No. 3-97589, No. 3-10347.
No. 6, etc. are mentioned. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the photothermal conversion layer is preferably 0.1 to 3 μm, more preferably 0.2 to 1.0 μm. The content of the photothermal conversion substance in the photothermal conversion layer is usually such that the absorbance at the wavelength of the light source used for image recording is 0.3 to 3.0, more preferably 0.7 to
You can decide to be 2.5. When carbon black is used as the light-heat conversion layer, if the thickness of the light-heat conversion layer exceeds 1 μm, the sensitivity tends to decrease instead of the occurrence of focusing due to overheating of the ink layer. It may be appropriately selected because it changes depending on the absorbance of the photothermal conversion layer.

As the light-heat conversion layer, a vapor deposition layer may be used in addition to the above. Carbon black, gold, silver, aluminum, chromium, nickel, antimony and tellurium described in JP-A-52-20842. , Metal black deposition layers of bismuth, selenium, etc., Ib of the periodic table,
Vapor deposition of IIb, IIIa, IVb, Va, Vb, VIa, VIb, VIIb and VIII metal elements and their alloys, or alloys of these elements with Ia, IIa and IIIb elements, or mixtures thereof. Layers, particularly preferred metals being Al, Bi, Sn, In or Zn and their alloys, or these metals and Ia, IIa and II of the Periodic Table.
Included are alloys with Group Ib elements, or mixtures thereof. Suitable metal oxides or sulfides include Al, Bi, S
n, In, Zn, Ti, Cr, Mo, W, Co, Ir,
There are compounds of Ni, Pb, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zr or Te, or mixtures thereof. Further, a vapor-deposited layer of metal phthalocyanines, metal dithiolenes, and anthraquinones can also be mentioned. The thickness of the vapor deposition layer is preferably within 50 nm. The light-heat converting substance may be the color material itself of the ink layer, and is not limited to the above, and various substances can be used. When the photothermal conversion layer has poor adhesiveness with the lower layer of the support, when the transfer material is peeled off from the image-receiving sheet during light irradiation or after thermal transfer, film peeling may occur, resulting in color turbidity. It is also possible to provide an adhesive layer between and.

The ink layer is mainly composed of a colorant and a binder. In the laser melting thermal transfer method, the ink layer is
It is a layer that can be transferred together with a layer containing a colorant and a binder by melting or softening when heated, and does not need to be transferred in a completely molten state.

Examples of the colorant include inorganic pigments (titanium dioxide, carbon black, graphite, zinc oxide, Prussian blue, cadmium sulfide, iron oxide and lead, zinc, barium and calcium chromates).
And organic pigments (azo-based, thioindigo-based, anthraquinone-based, anthanthrone-based, triphendioxazine-based pigments, vat dye pigments, phthalocyanine pigments and their derivatives, quinacridone pigments, etc.) and pigments (acid dyes, direct dyes, Disperse dyes, oil-soluble dyes, metal-containing oil-soluble dyes, sublimable dyes and the like).
For example, when a color proof material is used, yellow, magenta, and cyan are C.I. I. 21095 or C.I.
I. 21090, C.I. I. 15850: 1, C.I. I. 7
4160 pigments are preferably used.

The content of the colorant in the ink layer may be adjusted so that a desired concentration can be obtained with a desired coating film thickness, and is not particularly limited, but is usually in the range of 5 to 70% by mass, It is preferably 10 to 60% by mass.

Examples of the binder for the ink layer include a heat-meltable substance and a thermoplastic resin. The heat-meltable substance is usually a solid or semi-solid substance having a melting point in the range of 40 to 150 ° C. measured using Yanagimoto MJP-2 type. Specifically, plant waxes such as carnauba wax, wood wax, auricurie wax, and espal wax; animal waxes such as beeswax, insect wax, shellac wax, whale wax; paraffin wax, microcrystal wax, polyethylene wax, ester wax, acid. Petroleum wax such as wax; and Montan wax,
Waxes such as mineral waxes such as ozokerite and ceresin can be mentioned. In addition to these waxes,
Higher fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, margaric acid, and behenic acid; higher alcohols such as palmityl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, marganyl alcohol, myricyl alcohol, eicosanol; cetyl palmitate, myricyl palmitate,
Higher fatty acid esters such as cetyl stearate and myricyl stearate; amides such as acetamide, propionic acid amide, palmitic acid amide, stearic acid amide, amide wax; and higher amines such as stearylamine, behenylamine, palmitylamine, etc. Is mentioned.

Further, as the thermoplastic resin, an ethylene copolymer, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyolefin resin, a styrene resin, a styrene-acrylic resin, an acrylic resin, a vinyl chloride resin is used. Resins, cellulose-based resins, rosin-based resins, polyvinyl alcohol-based resins, polyvinyl acetal-based resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, ionomer resins, petroleum-based resins, and resins for ink layer binders described in JP-A-6-312583. , Especially melting point or T
A resin having an MA softening point of 70 to 150 ° C. is preferably used.

In addition to the above thermoplastic resins, natural rubber,
Elastomers such as styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber and diene copolymers; ester gum, rosin maleic acid resin, rosin phenol resin, rosin derivatives such as hydrogenated rosin; and phenol resin, terpene resin, cyclopentadiene resin, aromatic A polymer compound such as a group hydrocarbon resin can also be used.

By properly selecting the above-mentioned heat-meltable substance and thermoplastic substance, an ink layer having a desired thermal softening point or heat-melting point and having thermal transferability can be formed.

In the present invention, an image can be formed by ablation transfer by using a binder having a high thermal decomposability. Such binders include polymeric substances that undergo rapid acid-catalyzed partial decomposition, desirably at temperatures below 200 ° C., when measured under equilibrium conditions, and specifically include nitrocelluloses, polycarbonates and J.S. M. J. Freche
t), F.I. Bouchard, J.M.
M. Houlihan, B.H. Kryczke and E. Eichle
r), J. Imaging Science (Imaging)
Science), 30 (2), pp. 59-64 (19)
86) types of polymers, and polyurethanes, polyesters, polyorthoesters,
And polyacetals, and copolymers thereof. Further, these polymers, together with their decomposition mechanism, are described in detail in the above-mentioned report of Holyhan et al.

It is disclosed in JP-A-62-158092 that a high concentration can be obtained by making the particle diameters of the pigments uniform, but various pigments can be obtained in order to secure the dispersibility of the pigments and obtain good color reproduction. It is effective to use a dispersant.

As other additives, a plasticizer for increasing sensitivity by plasticizing the ink layer, a surfactant for improving coatability of the ink layer, a submicron to a micron for preventing blocking of the ink layer are added. It is possible to add order particles (matting agent).

The preferable ink layer thickness is 0.2 to 2 μm.
m, and more preferably 0.3 to 1.5 μm. In particular,
It has been confirmed that high sensitivity can be obtained by adjusting the thickness to 0.8 μm or less, but the kind of binder and colorant used,
Since the thin film transferability of the ink layer differs depending on the mixing ratio and the like, the optimum film thickness range is selected according to the balance between sensitivity and resolution and other desired image reproduction performance.

The intermediate layer preferably provided between the photothermal conversion layer and the ink layer is a binder and, if necessary, a crosslinking agent,
It is composed of a sensitizer and a surfactant.

The intermediate layer is produced by applying the photothermal conversion dye (infrared absorbing dye when an infrared laser is used as a light source) contained in the photothermal conversion layer to the intermediate layer or the ink layer during coating or drying and as an ink sheet. It is considered that the sensitivity of the ink sheet is increased and the change in sensitivity with time is reduced by preventing the ink sheet from diffusing with the passage of time. Further, the intermediate layer has a sensitizer or a boiling point of 100 to 400 ° C.
Higher sensitivity can be achieved by adding the compound (1).

The binder used in the intermediate layer may be a resin soluble in a solvent in which the solubility of the photothermal conversion dye used is 0.1% or less, although it depends on the constitution of the photothermal conversion layer.

Next, the image forming method of the present invention will be described. An example of a method for forming an image using the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention is as follows. The intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet and the ink sheet are sequentially wound around the exposure drum and held by vacuum contact, and the back surface of the ink sheet (back coat Layer coating side)
Is irradiated with a laser beam according to the image data, the laser beam is absorbed by the ink sheet and converted into heat, and an image is transferred from the recording material to the intermediate transfer sheet by the converted heat.

The image formation of the present invention comprises two processes. That is, 1) a step of bringing the image receiving sheet and the ink sheet into close contact with each other and transferring the image imagewise from the ink sheet side by laser exposure.

2) The above steps are repeated a plurality of times to form a color image on the image receiving sheet, the color image and the final image bearing member are faced to each other, and heat and / or pressure are applied to the image receiving sheet and the recording medium. A step of transferring the image to the final image carrier together with the image receiving layer by peeling off the image receiving sheet after laminating.

The intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention can be mounted on a large format proofer (Konica Corp .: color decision type 1 and 2 type, Fuji Film Ltd .: final proof) which has already been released. Is the preferred embodiment. When such a commercially available large format proofer is used, it is necessary to separately perform the steps of transferring to the final image carrier and peeling after laser recording. When using printing paper as the final image carrier, EV-L manufactured by Konica
It is possible to transfer to a desired recording medium by using a laminator such as laminator, EV-Laminator II, and Imagation's match print laminator 447.
After transferring in this way, the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet is peeled off, whereby a recorded matter very similar to a printed matter can be obtained.

The preferred laminator usable in the present invention preferably has a pressure of 2 to 98 N / cm,
Particularly preferably, it is 9.8 to 39.2 N / cm. 2N
If it is smaller, it is difficult to obtain sufficient transferability, and if it is larger than 98 N, the transportability of thin paper tends to deteriorate.

The laminating temperature is preferably 80 to 150 ° C, particularly preferably 90 to 130 ° C. If the temperature is lower than 80 ° C, the storage stability of the image-receiving sheet tends to deteriorate, and
If it is higher than 0 ° C., it tends to be difficult to obtain transferability.

The laminating speed is preferably 2 to 50 mm / sec, particularly preferably 3 to 30 mm / sec. If it is slower than 2 mm / sec, the motor load is large and transportability is not preferable, and if it is faster than 50 mm / sec, jamming of thin paper is likely to occur, which is not preferable.

The laminating roll diameter of the laminator is 10 to 10.
A diameter of 300 mm is preferable, and 30 to 150 is particularly preferable.
mm diameter. If the diameter is smaller than 10 mm, the temperature unevenness at the time of transfer is large, which is not preferable. Further, it is preferable to use a roll having a high heat transfer property as the roll having a larger diameter is used.

The laminator used in the present invention is
High in-plane thermal uniformity is required, and the variation in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction of the laminate is preferably within ± 5 degrees, particularly preferably within ± 3 degrees. In order to satisfy such conditions, it is preferable to block the fresh air intake port as much as possible without forcibly exhausting the inside of the laminator device. Also, in the laminate, the short side of the transferred material is in the transport longitudinal direction. It is preferable to laminate the above.

The laser light source for image recording of the laser exposure machine used in the present invention includes a semiconductor laser, a YAG laser, a carbon dioxide gas laser, a helium neon laser and the like. Among semiconductor lasers, the 1 / e ² diameter is several to several at the focal point without significantly reducing the optical efficiency.
It is preferable to use a so-called single-mode laser diode because it is easy to narrow down to several tens of μm. Light sources other than lasers include light emitting diodes (LEDs). An LED and a semiconductor laser are easy to use as an array in which a plurality of light emitting elements are integrated. In the present invention, it is preferable to first perform image recording on the laser melting thermal transfer recording medium having a color set so that the absorption at the exposure wavelength of the recording material is maximized. In the laser thermal transfer recording to which the present invention belongs, the thermal transfer recording medium and the recording medium are brought into close contact (for example, reduced pressure close contact) to perform laser exposure in an imagewise manner. Therefore, the transferability is likely to deteriorate. In the case of repeatedly recording a single-color image and superimposing a plurality of colors, it is better to transfer from a color with a larger amount of gas in order to improve the adhesion during exposure and to stabilize the sensitivity of the second and subsequent colors. Is also preferable. In particular, it is particularly preferable to first transfer black that has absorption in the infrared region.

Laser scanning methods include cylinder outer surface scanning, cylinder inner surface scanning, and plane scanning. In the cylindrical outer surface scanning, laser exposure is performed while rotating the drum wound with the recording material on the outer surface, and the rotation of the drum is the main scanning,
The movement of the laser light is referred to as sub-scanning. When scanning the inner surface of a cylinder,
The recording material is fixed to the inner surface of the drum, the laser beam is irradiated from the inside, and a part or all of the optical system is rotated to perform main scanning in the circumferential direction. Sub-scanning is performed in the axial direction by linearly moving in parallel with. In plane scanning, a polygon mirror or a galvanometer mirror and an fθ lens are combined to perform main scanning of laser light, and sub-scanning is performed by moving a recording medium. The scanning of the outer surface of the cylinder and the scanning of the inner surface of the cylinder make it easier to increase the accuracy of the optical system and are suitable for high-density recording. In the case of so-called multi-channel exposure in which a plurality of light emitting elements are used at the same time, cylindrical outer surface scanning is most suitable. Also, YA with a large exposure output
When using a G laser or the like, it is difficult to significantly increase the number of rotations of the drum by scanning the outer surface of the cylinder, and thus inner surface scanning of the cylinder is suitable.

[0114]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below with reference to examples, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In the examples, "parts" means "parts by mass" and "%" means "% by mass" unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 1. Intermediate Transfer Image Receiving Sheet <Comparative Intermediate Transfer Image Receiving Sheet> Intermediate Transfer Image Receiving Sheet 1: Color Decision II Type Image Receiving Sheet (CDII-1R: Konica Corporation) Intermediate Layer Ra: 0.02 μm, Rz: 0.3 μm Image Receiving Layer Ra: 0.24 μm, Rz: 5.5 μm Intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet 2: Luxel FINALPRO
OF5600 receiver film (FL-R: manufactured by Fuji Film Co., Ltd.) <Preparation of intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet for the present invention> On the support 1,
Under the following conditions, the heat-softening layer, the intermediate layer and the coating solution of the image receiving layer,
An intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet 3 was obtained by sequentially applying and drying with a wire bar.

Thermal softening layer: 15 g / m ² , 100 ° C. for 5 minutes Intermediate layer: 2.0 g / m ² , 80 ° C. for 1 minute Image receiving layer: 1.5 g / m ² , 80 ° C. for 1 minute (support ) V-PET film (Crisper G-1212 # 100: manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) (thermosoftening layer coating liquid) Polyethylene latex (S3127: manufactured by Toho Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100 parts (intermediate layer coating liquid) Ethylcellulose (ETOCEL STD10: Dow Chemical Co., Ltd.) 10.5 parts Silicone particles (Tospearl T-130: Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.) 2.5 parts Industrial ethyl alcohol 87 parts (image-receiving layer coating solution) Acrylic resin latex (Yodozol A5801: Nippon NSC company resin 55 %) 10 parts Styrene-acrylic resin latex (Iodosol GX-1: NSC Japan, resin content 50%, MFT 90 ° C.) 10 parts Fluorine tree Oil (Unidyne TG991: manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd., resin content 18.5%) 10 parts i-propyl alcohol 6 parts water 60 parts Intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet 3 has an intermediate layer surface Ra: 0.11 μm.
m, Rz: 1.25 μm, image receiving layer surface Ra: 0.03 μm
m, Rz: 0.8 μm.

The intermediate transfer image receiving sheet 4 was prepared in the same manner as the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet 3, but the following intermediate layer and image receiving layer were used (intermediate layer coating solution) methyl cellulose (Metroses SM15: manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 10. 5 parts PMMA particles (MX-300: manufactured by Soken Kagaku Co., Coul counter method, volume average primary particle diameter: 3.05 μm, standard deviation: 0.323 μm) 2.5 parts Activator (Futagent FT251: manufactured by Neos) ) 0.13 parts i-Propyl alcohol 17 parts Ion-exchanged water 70 parts (image-receiving layer coating liquid) Acrylic resin (Dianal BR105 manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 20 parts Silicone particles (Tospearl T-130 manufactured by Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.) 0.1 Part Activator (F-178K, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.) 0.05 part Additive (Sumilyzer GS, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 40 parts Cyclopentanone 40 parts Intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet 4 has an intermediate layer surface Ra of 0.14 μm.
m, Rz: 1.33 μm, image receiving layer surface Ra: 0.02 μm
m, Rz: 0.75 μm.

<Image formation> The above-mentioned intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet 1
An image was first formed on the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet by using the following transfer films, exposing devices, and laminators.

Transfer film: Color Decision II type transfer film (CDII-1M: manufactured by Konica) Exposure machine: Color Decision II EV-1
user Proofer II (manufactured by Konica Corporation) B2 size specification laminator: Color Decision II EV
-Laminator II (manufactured by Konica) Next, place the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet on the insertion table under the conditions of temperature setting upper roll 100 ° C, lower roll 120 ° C, speed 5 mm / sec, pressure 24N, and further stacking the final image carrier. Inserted.

As the final image bearing member, the following four types were used. Final image carrier 1: Tokubishi Art (Mitsubishi Paper Mills) 12
7.9 g / m ² gloss 37 final image carrier 2: New Age (Oji Paper Co., Ltd.) 12
7.9 g / m ² gloss 4.5 final image carrier 3: PET film (manufactured by Teijin DuPont Films) HS98W 100 μm, gloss 100 final image carrier 4: NPI fine quality (manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.) 12
7.9 g / m ² Gloss 4 The gloss value is a value obtained by measuring the gloss of each final image bearing member by the method described below.

In Example 1, the intermediate transfer image receiving sheets 1 to 4 were used.
The heat treatment after the secondary transfer is performed using a laminator: Color
Decision II EV-Laminator II
(Manufactured by Konica Corp.), temperature setting upper roll 100 ° C., lower roll 120 ° C., speed 5 mm / sec, pressure 24 N, and the release film was placed on the final image bearing member on which the image was formed.

Release film: E7007-50 μm (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.), Ra: 0.015 μm, Rz: 0.3 μm
Met.

<Performance Evaluation> The transparency, gloss and transfer fixing property after heat treatment were evaluated. << Gloss >> The difference in gloss between the paper and the image part and the non-image part was confirmed before and after the heat treatment of the image transferred to each final image carrier. Gloss is the measured value at 60-60 degrees, and the measuring method is JIS-K7.
Compliant with 105. << Transfer fixing property >> B2 size output After outputting a magenta solid image to the maximum size on an exposure machine with appropriate sensitivity, the image area / non-image area secondarily transferred to each final image carrier is manufactured by Sumitomo 3M. The "cover-up tape 652" was attached, and the peeled state was visually observed and evaluated based on the following criteria.

◯: No peeling of image part / non-image part Δ: Peeling of part of image part / non-image part is possible for practical use ×: Peeling of image part / non-image part is not possible for practical use << Transparency >> The B2-size output image was transferred to the final image carrier 3 and heat-treated, and then the absorbance at 400 to 700 nm in the non-image area was measured. The baseline was measured with the final image carrier 3 and with a spectrophotometer.

[0125] ○: 0.05 or less Δ: Greater than 0.05 and 0.1 or less (problem in practical use) X: Greater than 0.1 (a significant problem for practical use)

[0126]

[Table 1]

In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, there is no significant change in gloss before and after heating, but in Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention, it is understood that the gloss is greatly increased after heating as compared with before heating.

Further, in comparison with the gloss value of each final image bearing member itself, an image is actually formed on each final image bearing member by performing heat treatment after the secondary transfer if necessary. It can be seen that the gloss can be made closer to the one that was made, or that it can be made different, and can be operated freely.

Incidentally, in Table 1, the data of gloss is not described, and the measured value of gloss cannot be properly obtained due to poor transfer fixing property.

Example 2 The amount of the intermediate layer applied to the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet was changed as follows, and the thickness of the intermediate layer was changed according to the composition of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet 4.

As a result, the intermediate transfer image receiving sheets 5 and 6 are formed.
Was produced. Intermediate transfer image receiving sheet 5 Intermediate layer thickness 1.0 g / m ² Intermediate transfer image receiving sheet 6 Intermediate layer thickness 2.8 g / m ² Next, the thickness of the image receiving layer is changed by the composition of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet 4, and the intermediate transfer image receiving image is obtained. Sheets 7 and 8 were made.

Intermediate Transfer Image Receiving Sheet 7 Image Receiving Layer Thickness 0.3 g / m ² Intermediate Transfer Image Receiving Sheet 8 Image Receiving Layer Thickness 2.0 g / m ² <Performance Evaluation> The above intermediate transfer image receiving sheet was heat treated in the same manner as in Example 1. Was evaluated.

The results are shown in Table 2 below as Examples 3 to 6.

[0134]

[Table 2]

All the characteristics of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheets 5 to 8 are good, and when they are reheated after being transferred to the final image carrier,
It can be seen that the gloss increases significantly.

Incidentally, in Table 2, the data for which gloss data is not described are the data for which no data was obtained as in Example 1.

[0137]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the non-image area is similar to the actual printing paper before heat treatment, and it can be used very satisfactorily for proofreading such as commercial printing. Can raise the special high gloss printing sample,
It is possible to provide an image forming method that can be used for proofreading for gravure printing.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C065 AB03 AC04 AF01 AF02 DA01                       DA08 DA10 DA33                 2H096 HA30 LA30                 2H111 AA01 AA05 AA26 AA32 AA35                       AB05 CA03 CA14 CA41

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image is recorded on an intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet, and then the image formed on the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet is received on the final image-bearing body by facing the intermediate transfer image-receiving sheet and the final image-bearing body. An image forming method including a step of sequentially transferring an image for each layer and a step of heat-treating the transferred image is characterized in that the 60-60 ° gloss defined by JIS-K7105 increases by 5 to 100 before and after the heat treatment. Image forming method. 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet has a structure of image receiving layer / lower layer, and the lower layer is more roughened. 3. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet has a structure of image receiving layer / lower layer, and the surface roughness Ra of the lower layer is 0.2 to 5.0 μm. 4. The image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet has a thickness of 0.5 to 10 g / m ^2.
The image forming method described. 5. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein when the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet is heat-treated, the surface having a surface roughness Ra of 0.001 to 0.2 μm is faced with the image. . 6. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer image receiving sheet is performed at a temperature of 60 to 150 ° C. and a pressure of 5 to 100 N. 7. The final image bearing member is JIS-P8119.
2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the Beck smoothness defined by is 50 seconds or more.